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ST. SIMONS ISLAND, GEORGIA

Island-Hopping Adventure on Three Barrier Islands: St. Simons, Sapelo, Jekyll

Our first Road Scholar program was all we expected and more. The coordinator, guides, and facility staff did a wonderful job. We especially appreciated the listening devices which made the guides more understandable and enjoyable. Great program.

If you are interested in the Barrier Islands, and you should be if you want to understand a very important but fragile part of America, this is the program for you. Very well presented. A beautiful and interesting location.

Anyone interested in history would probably enjoy this trip. Reading books about the area which Road Scholar sends ahead of the trip make one enjoy the trip even more. I thoroughly enjoyed visiting all three of the islands.

The tour director, Georgia Graves, as well as the guest lecturers were passionate about their areas of expertise and equally passionate about sharing that knowledge in an easily understood and interesting manner. It was a fun, informative, friendly tour in a beautiful part of our country.

I chose this program because they were willing to accommodate my dietary restrictions: Gluten-free, dairy-free, yeast-free and egg-free. The chef and staff bent over backwards to meet my needs and they did very well! D Bazeley, Cincinnati OH

This was my first time with Road Scholar and will be doing more.
Our Coordinator Rusty Fleming made the trip for me. Road Scholar material and educational programs went beyond norm. If you are a history and outdoor/environmentalist buff then this is the trip for you.

Georgia's one hundred mile coast line provides unique support for the environment of the ocean as well as geographical and economic structure. Prepare to be well instructed and probably somewhat surprised by the presentation, and hospitality, that the local experts will give you. The accommodations are comfortable and more than adequate.

This was a very good program, with an excellent mix of lectures and field trips. Our days were very busy, with one afternoon free so that we could have lunch on our own and relax, shop, or see a sight that the tour did not visit. On other days, we always returned to the hotel so that we had least an hour to relax before dinner. While not essential, having a car is nice as the hotel is not within easy walking distance of any stores or shopping. The hotel was very nice -- large rooms, views of the salt water marsh, refrigerator, with a screened-in porch included for most rooms. Our week was very hot and humid, so many of us took advantage of the resort swimming pool. Included in the holder with our name tag was the phone number of our coordinator and a small copy of the week's itinerary; this would be a good practice for all trips. Also, the hearing devices are a great addition to Road Scholar programs. It is so nice to be able to hear a presenter, even if one wanders away slightly from the group. The outside speakers were excellent, and contributed to our understanding of the culture, history, and ecology of the area. The final morning's presentation on "The Southern Woman" was a fun way to end the week. For me, the other highlight of the program was the trip on the converted shrimp boat to learn about (and to even hold) the many creatures that inhabit the waterways around the island. The food was good, although it would have been nice to have more choices at dinner or to at least know the day before what the entree would be. As always, one of the best parts of the program is meeting and getting to know so many fun people. This time our 35 participants came from 17 different states! I have written a blog about the program; the web address is http://emknesper.blogspot.com/. I can reaching through email at emknesper@gmail.com. Happy traveling!

This was my first Road Scholar adventure and it surely will not be the last! The program was well thought out and organized. The educators were knowledgeable in their field and made learning the content very enjoyable. There was plenty variety in our activities and the other attendees were fun loving and like minded individuals. I truly got a lot of "bang for the buck" and I look forward to many explorations with Road Scholar.

Don't miss this! These barrier islands are where a lot of our history began, and it's also where the fresh water hits the salt water. Some call it a swamp, but it is the marsh land where it all happens on a daily basis. You won't believe what you will all see.

My husband and I enjoyed every moment of this program. Lodging was spacious and comfortable and meals were delicious. There were 37 Road Scholars in our bunch, and we enjoyed being with all of them. Transportation to each attraction was on a comfortable motorcoach. It would be difficult to decide which one of the presenters/field trips was best as each program was presented in an interesting way. The week just kept getting better and better. My personal favorite was the trip to Sapelo Island where a visit to the community of Hog Hammock allowed us to interact with the residents of that community, all descendents of the slaves who labored there on rice plantations before the Civil War. It was a privilege to meet the "matriarch" of the community, Cornelia Bailey, and to listen to her account of life on Sapelo. I purchased her book "God, Dr. Buzzard and the Bolito Man" and couldn't put it down until I had read every last word. Our coordinator, Rusty Fleming, had everything perfectly organized, including a surprise wine and cheese party. Nice touch, Rusty!

One of the best organized and executed programs I've participated in. Everything about it was good: food and lodging, program coordinator, bus driver, instructors -- the whole ball of wax was outstanding! I was particularly grateful for the new listening devices they used. They were state of the art. I would highly recommend this program.

having limited sight and hearing I was hesitant about the physical qualifications as well as my physically aging ability. I was assisted somewhat by my daughter as well as the instructors care and safety I felt well cared for and able to participate inmost activity.

I just returned from a Mid-March Road Scholar Trip Island Hopping Adventure on Three Barrier Islands in Georgia. It was my first Road Scholar Trip but it will not be my last! The 38 participants were delightful, trip leaders first rate, lecturers experts in their field, and I returned home with a new appreciation of the important maritime/war history, barrier island ecology, and the complex dynamics of plantation life before, during and after the Civil War. It was a well paced, informative, excellent program.

We found the island-hopping most informative, fun, and just a great getaway. The programs on seaturtles, history of the islands, and just on-site tours broadened our knowledge of the area and its habitats. And the variety of birds in the lagoon just behind our room was amazing.

As always, a fabulous time with like-minded people. We all have an increased sensitivity about turtles, a new appreciation for horse shoe crabs, a growing interested in the Gee Chee Gulee people, and a deepening love for pelicans. Great learning experience. Very very fun

This program is excellent for individuals who are interested in marine biology and ecology, as well history. There were many opportunities to learn and many opportunities for hands-on experiences and field trips. A very worthwhile program.

Thoroughly enjoyed each presentation by well informed instructors. We learned so much regarding the history and culture of the area. It was a pleasure to have all details of the trip handled so efficiently thereby allowing us to simply enjoy every moment.

This was a great trip, with a little history, nature and eye-opening extremes between lives of the wealthy and those who are far from wealthy.
The group was filled with fun folks.
I would recommend another month besides September. It was a tad warm/muggy for all the time you spend outdoors.
It delivered more than described in the Program Details. The experts were the best.

Just completed the Georgian Golden Isles program based on St. Simon's Island, GA. Subjects were varied (something for everyone), trips interesting and presenters enjoyable. Very good director. We loved our accommodations and view and wi-fi in each room. Also full kitchen and free use of washer and dryer! Food very good though not outstanding.

Excellent program: one of the best-organized we've attended! Something different every day and most of the day is spent in the field, with lectures mostly at night and/or when it rained. Great speakers who made the history and nature of the area fascinating. Several meals at local restaurants were also very enjoyable. The accommodations at this golf resort were the best we have ever had with Road Scholar programs, although the meals were probably the worst - another reason that eating out so often was appreciated!

Loved it! A variety of learning experiences from history and nature through lectures, hands on and field trips to three islands and on a shrimp boat. Great instructors. Rooms are large with kitchenette. Gayle and Bryan Brooker

Need Help?

The latest in light, portable, easy-to-use QUIETVOX listening devices are available on Road Scholar programs.* Whether you are outdoors, in a crowd or in a museum environment where speaking loudly is discouraged, a listening device makes it feel like our experts are speaking clearly and directly to you. Hear for yourself on a Road Scholar adventure!

*Please note that due to the nature of some programs, the remote location or government regulations, listening devices may not be available. If you’d like to know for sure if your program will offer listening devices, just call and ask an Advisor!